For many students, the start of a new school year brings excitement: new classes, new goals, and new opportunities. But for youth experiencing homelessness, preparing for the school year often means navigating challenges that extend far beyond the classroom.

Having enough food to eat, reliable transportation, personal care items, and other basic needs allow youth to focus on school, work, and their plans for the future instead of worrying about immediate needs. Recent changes to food assistance programs, including SNAP benefits, have created additional challenges for many Arizona families. As access to these resources change, some youth and their families may experience greater gaps in meeting basic nutrition needs. Recent reporting has highlighted the impact these changes are having across Arizona, including increased demand for food assistance resources.

At Homeless Youth Connection (HYC), youth coaches see firsthand how food insecurity affects the young people we serve.

“I think the recent changes to SNAP have made it really difficult for many of my youth to get the support they need because it forces them to choose between food, housing needs, hygiene, and other essentials,” shared Ellyse, HYC Youth Coach.

When youth are worried about where their next meal will come from, it can impact every area of their lives.

“Hunger makes it difficult for young people to concentrate in school, perform well at work, and stay motivated to reach their goals,” Ellyse said. “Many of my youth are just trying to survive each day, and it leaves them with little energy to think about education, career planning, or personal growth.”

This is why access to food support matters.

A food gift card may seem like a simple resource, but for an HYC youth, it provides flexibility and relief during a challenging time. Grocery gift cards help youth purchase meals and essentials they need, while restaurant gift cards can provide access to a meal during busy school days, work shifts, appointments, or times when preparing food is not possible. These resources help reduce the stress of choosing between meals and other essential expenses while giving youth the dignity and flexibility to choose what works best for their needs.

“Having someone who believes in you and provides consistent support can make the difference between surviving and succeeding,” Ellyse said. “When young people have reliable access to food, safe housing, education support, and caring mentors, they can focus on their goals instead of worrying about meeting their basic needs.”

This back-to-school season, food gift cards are one way our community can help HYC youth prepare for the school year. By providing access to meals, these resources help youth stay focused on their education, work, and plans for the future.

Explore HYC’s Back-to-School Wishlist to learn how you can support youth as they begin the 2026–2027 school year.

Have questions about donating gift cards or other Wishlist items? Contact Kate Blosser at kblosser@hycaz.org.